Suspected Grass Valley car burglar allegedly strikes again

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A local man suspected in a string of Grass Valley burglaries just six weeks ago was back in jail after being arrested in connection with at least six new vehicle break-ins.

Grass Valley Police officers responded to a call from a man in the 300 block of South Auburn Street at about 6 a.m. Tuesday, reporting that someone had stolen his backpack from his unlocked vehicle sometime within the last 10 minutes, according to dispatch reports.

When officers responded, a witness directed them to a nearby gas station, where the victim told them he had located his backpack in the possession of a man identified as Keith Alexander Rushing, 19. The backpack allegedly contained the victim’s wallet, among other items, said Capt. Rex Marks.

Officers searched Rushing and found other stolen property on him, including gift cards, change and miscellaneous small items, Marks said.

They also allegedly found sales receipts belonging to possible burglary victims, as well as a methamphetamine pipe.

“In a 24-hour period, there were at least seven car burglaries reported in Grass Valley,” Marks said. “They were everywhere — it was kind of random.”

As of Wednesday morning, Rushing had been linked to six of those break-ins, Marks said.

“He had been on the prowl all night,” he said.

Rushing was arrested on suspicion of petty theft, possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked and released on $2,250 bail.

Rushing has previously been arrested at the end of December in connection with a similar series of crimes.

A woman living in an apartment complex in the 500 block of Whiting Street called 911 at about 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 to report that a man just tried to break into her vehicle but was scared off by the alarm and ran. She said he also had been in the neighbor’s car, according to dispatch reports.

Officers did an area check and allegedly saw Rushing leaning into a vehicle while using a flashlight. An investigation revealed he allegedly entered at least seven vehicles in the area.